CATCHING UP

(From left to right: me, Jessi and Vi) 

“Don’t you miss writing?” Jessi asked me this question making me remember, “oh yeah I have a blog.”

While we were browsing my blog, Jessi just blurted out “when was it updated, two years ago?” I looked at the date and indeed, the last update was in 2013.  

I thought, “Wow time flies too fast and I didn’t even know it.”  I’ve been away from my blog for quite long, so I guess it’s about time I’ll post something. 

But looking for a topic to write is always a challenge unless there are motivating factors which could either be things, people, emotions or events in life.   I looked at the two ladies sitting in front of me in the table and I thought “yeah, why not? They can be my topic!”      

(From right to left: Vi, Jessi, Thu and me of course)

Variety is the spice of life...

 It was lunchtime today (July 16) that I dragged the two angels of Saigon Times Group, Jessi Pham and Mai Thi Tuong Vi to have lunch with me at La Mint, a French restaurant located just few steps away from my work place.  Sitting in the dining table next to Thu, my account manager who was celebrating her birthday, I was teasing Jessi about her passion in posing in front of the camera like a model and her vast collection of nice dresses and shoes.   It was actually a compliment.  I find it cute seeing photos of a tall slim beautiful lady that if you don’t know her, it’s like you’ve seen someone who does nothing but line up dresses for photo shooting either in hotel or restaurant settings.    

 Jessi is a lifestyle writer of Saigon Times Daily and she closes a page already, a task that most Editor-in-Chief will not just assign to any member of the editorial staff unless someone who can be trusted.   An intelligent lady but she would rather show off her love for clothes and her passion to mimic model like poses than her wits which were printed into the newspaper.  

Sitting next to Jessi in front of me in the table was Vi, an exact opposite character of Jessi.  Vi perhaps is a big fan of the word “simplicity”.  She carries herself confidently with just jeans pants and shirt, no qualms whatsoever.  For a Vietnamese lady, I’d say it’s an effort because it’s not their practice to be too casual with clothes, like the “influence of Americans to Filipinos.”  

Vi is like a sister, quite sweet and she always remember me.  If that would be in the Philippines, it’s a bonus to have a friend like Vi in the print media, a good access to free publicity. But my friendship with Vi has a catch, Catch-22.  She treats me like I am still in the same industry with her, the industry which I abandoned almost a decade ago.  In that type of relationship, I can’t ask her to write something about my products and services for free. It’s awkward, unless of course I have paid ads.  Anyway, I love Vi, so never mind I will not destroy our friendship by asking free space for press releases.  I will always be a big sister to her in the “print media industry”.  

So for my two little sisters in the print media in Ho Chi Minh, thank you for the friendship and I am grateful you were there for me when I was hounded with immigration issues, it was handy with you around. 

EXPATRIATE LIFE IN SAIGON: My Dear Neighbor

A view of my neighbor from the living room.

Here’s my neighbor again, chanting with a loud speaker.

Do I have a choice?

I live in one of the nice apartments in Sky Garden 3, Phu My Hung. Across our building is a small house converted into a Buddhist Temple.  Weeks after we moved in, Paul started complaining on noise coming from that house, a Buddhist chant on speaker.

Paul works only two hours during weekdays, so he won’t miss the morning chant.  I get out of the apartment early and spent most of my time at work, so I can’t understand his complaints.   I thought “oh God typical English” but in order not to whine him up, I just ride with his issue and dismiss it with a statement “they wanted to convert us into Buddhist perhaps.”

Where's the speaker? Can you help me find it? It's too loud.

Several months after, I joined the “jobless society.” Gone are the days I have to rush out of the apartment early in the morning.  Gone are the days when after work, I get to see the apartment again before midnight. In short, 90% of my time now is spent at home, opposite to my regular routine. 

It’s been few weeks now that I woke up every morning not because I have to but because my neighbor’s chant is getting into my brain, bringing my consciousness back to the world again.  I thought at first, “okay I understand you are giving praise to the Lord, so I’ll keep my grievances to myself.” 

On the couch watching BBC news in the morning, I locked the windows. For two hours, I have BBC on the right ear and the chanting on the left ear.  Time to cook lunch, close and locked the kitchen window making sure all holes that are potential entry of the noise must be covered. I have the sound of the kitchen exhaust on my left ear and the chanting on my right ear. 

Siesta time!  A pair of earphones plugged into my ears in the room without window.  Paul was in the living room watching TV. I have music in both ears with a tiny background of my Buddhist neighbor’s chant and Paul’s TV in the living room.   Great, looks like the chant is already in my brain. 
Alright, I went down hang around the walkways and practice my Vietnamese, asking around how I can petition the insensitivity of the loud speaker.

 I won’t ask them to stop praising the Lord. I will just ask a little consideration of taking the speaker off.  I cannot understand the chant, so it’s not helping at all.  If the chant only bears inspirational words I might go down, grab the microphone, make sure everybody hears me and join them chant. 

My dear neighbor, too small! Too powerful though :-(

For days now, I didn’t hear Paul utter a word about it.  Every time I look at him when our neighbor starts chanting, he would smile. Worse, I can’t smile back.  Without saying anything, Paul opens his Ipad and I open my laptop browse online for available apartments. 

Why, do we have a choice?

Wikipedia says chanting is Buddhism’s traditional means of preparing the mind for meditation. It is also use for ritualistic purposes.  I don’t know what it is for my neighbor but within a year of living here, I know that my dear neighbor would not back down and take the speaker off.  

“If you can’t beat them, join them.” If not, better yet go and leave.  Oh my dear neighbor, it’s such a limited choice, is it? L    

The Ancient Town of Hoi An

Wow, I didn’t realize it’s almost a year since I was in this blog. Sorry for my long absence but today I thought, I’ll scribble down notes on my latest travel within Central Vietnam.

I haven’t been backpacking for several months after I got caught up with a high pressured job in Saigon. But since my boyfriend Paul was leaving for a long holiday back to his hometown in England, I felt the need to go on holiday with him before his trip.

Typical scenario at the ancient town where locals enjoy a nightly festivities.

We visited three holiday destinations in Vietnam but I’d like to highlight our trip to Hoi An where I found the ancient village fascinating. I have been to several ancient villages in Vietnam during my early backpacking days but the old town in Hoi An is really captivating with those lanes and alleys full of Chinese-styled shophouses, bars and restaurants

decorated with Chinese lanterns.

On top of it all, the old town streets are closed for motorbikes at night. Amazing, I don’t have to deal with motorbike drivers insisting their way on the road nor the very annoying and rude honking even when there’s no need to honk.

All I have to deal is to look for Paul hopping around in a string of necktie shops or maybe take it the other way, Paul scouring for me in an alley of silk dress shops.

The shops at the ancient village were open even after 10pm but walking around hopping from one shop to another was quite tiresome, so we sit down in one of those modern Chinese-styled bars, Tam Tam.

Awesome, we’re in a bar with modern service but above me we’re the traditional Chinese lanterns in old designs.

Paul found Tam Tam Bar & Restaurant when he was searching for a place to watch World Grand Prix. Tam Tam is one of the few bars within ancient village with wide TV screen.

Anyway, we all have different preferences when we go travel but for me in Hoi An, I can only recommend the ancient village near the river. Hoi An is also known for its beaches but I am not a “beach person”, so I could not give justice to this destination if you take my opinion about it.

All I have is negative opinion from nothing to see when I was snorkeling except tiny little cluster of fishes which was not very visible because the water’s not clear blue. White sand beach yeah but rubbish are all over, people just throw bottles, cans or plastic bags on the seashore. But like I mentioned earlier I am not a beach person, I would rather rent a push bike for 2dollars and go around ancient village.

Hoi An by the way has no train station, in case you want to get out via train then go to Danang – all travel agencies in Hoi An would assist you for that.

We wanted to go on a train but Paul doesn’t want to be on a taxi to Danang. It’s too much of a hassle, so we decided to get on the bus. He booked all in the hotel where we were staying – it’s called Anh Hoi Hotel with little swimming pool and breakfast restaurant.

The receptionist was just too accommodating to arrange all without a hassle but the downside of it was that, we ended up in a bus we don’t like. A tourist sleeping bus with the name Luxury Open Tour but don’t be fooled by the word “luxury” because it’s nothing luxurious at all- locals sprawling on the floor or Vietnamese passengers sharing one tiny bed. Foreigners may have its own bed but I felt sorry for Paul because the seats likely were designed for Asian, so it’s too short for him.

You have one option though, fly. If you only have limited time to explore Hoi An’s ancient history and beaches then fly. Tickets for domestic flights in Vietnam are not really expensive. If I were to asked how many days ideal to stay in Hoi An- with my preference ( exploring ancient village) two days are enough.

Yeah... The Colors of Vietnam ... indeed

Colors of Vietnam---when I wrote this title on my blog I think of nothing but the travel, the scenic views, the people I encountered and the diverse cultural experience I had in Vietnam.
Traveling was my only comfort to beat the odds in life.

Reality, however, told me I could not always move around and see places. I need Uncle Sam’s money to sustain my so called comfort. I joined the hospitality industry and landed in one of those high paying jobs for an Asian.

Three months ago, I thought this is it I can go around travel and enjoy life being single, happy and free - no excess baggage so to speak.

But today, I woke up sad with my head pounding like it was going to explode. Worse, deep inside I was already crying. I wanted to shout that four- letter word F-U-C-K billion times until that so called pressure will leave me alone.

I know that sounds silly because no matter how many times I’ll shout, it won’t go away. And that left me without a choice but hide under the bed cover and sleep over it, so the following day perhaps, I’ll wake up well rested and ready to face the challenge again.

Well, looks like the Colors of Vietnam has changed from my point of view now. It’s not only the scenic views I took pictures with when I was traveling, nor the diverse cultural experience I had but also that 6-letter killer word- STRESS- which is already affecting my decisions in life and my dealing with friends.

For those of you who are dying to strangle me for being a bitch and a pain in the ass, just put it this way, it’s one of my Colors in Vietnam, living as an expat. Go ahead strangle me (but sweetly ok?).

Please bear in mind though that you always have a place in my heart and I will always remember you. Maybe you can help me bear the stress from work by just looking at it as one of the Colors of your life in Vietnam. Whatcha’ think?

Hmmmm... actually, I just don’t have anything to write because I haven’t done any traveling for the past three months at all and I need to update my blog... maybe? (Sigh) I wish that’s the case though…

Dalat- Rocking it on the rocks

Escaping from the humidity of the lowlands I head off to Dalat- a summer destination in southern Vietnam. I miss the cool climate of Hanoi during winter and Dalat is just a perfect alternative.

Dalat is just a small place and one visit is enough to have a glimpse of its scenic landscapes and nice looking houses with a touch of European design.

This is my second visit to Dalat, so I was wondering what would entertain me since I am an outgoing person and I don’t intend to stay in my room the entire day.

Although, the comfort and beauty of the place I stayed with gave me reason to hang around. I was in one of the apartments of La Sapinette Hotel and I could just watch TV

and dozed off in a queen size bed or drink on my own in the mini bar, stay in a hot tub or just sprawl myself on the couch at the mini living room and watch TV.

However, my gypsy character forced me to find an activity, so I decided to go out of my comfort zone and joined Groovy Gecko Canyoning Tour.

The canyoning tour is one of the famous sports adventure in Dalat that involves abseiling in a

waterfall, rappelling on the rocks, jumping on the water and sliding on the slippery falls.

Groovy Gecko supposedly would pick me up at 8:30 am but this is Vietnam, so expect that everyone is not on time. With a team of six travelers and three guides Groovy Gecko driver

was on the hotel’s door step at 9am picking me up.

The ride was not far. We get off the car after 15 minutes and started trekking towards the jungle with our helmets, no bags and all our mobile phones, wallets, and cameras turned over to one of the guides.

Because the activity was a bit rough and risky then it is advisable not to bring anything.

Having nothing on hand to worry about, however, turned out to be more fun than carrying something which will only bother me.I don’t have to worry about taking pictures while we were abseiling on a 25m waterfall or jumping on the water from 11m cliff

as one of the guides was assigned only to take pictures of us.

The other two guides were directing and assisting us when we abseiled or jumped.

Here’s something you have to take note though, if you are a novice and you don’t know how to swim make sure you are with a group of travelers who can swim and strong enough to assist you.

Usually travel agency would tell you it’s alright but trust me don’t jump on the water from 11m cliff because your life jacket might not stick with your body from the impact and you’ll be left strugg

ling to get into the shallow part of the water.

How do I know? Well, I don’t swim and guts were all I have, and trust me I felt the danger despite my oozing confidence. The guides will not be on your side but your team mates will be there on the water when you jump.

I don’t know my team mates personally, I just met them there but I kept bothering them for help. I was lucky they were quite nice,

couples from Denmark, Germany and England. Being Asian I’m small and I knew it was a burden to them since they have to adjust their speed for my sake.

The least I can do to compensate them of their effort to rescue me on the water when necessary, was to stay friendly and to never utter a word of complaint.

The canyoning program, however, was well planned for beginners. We started with moderate rappelling, jumping and sliding to practice us. The second leg was a bit rough, higher cliff, longer water sliding and rappelling on the rocks with water at the bottom.

The last part was the hardest, abseiling on the 25m waterfall, getting into the middle where water will push you down and

the rocks were quite slippery. I had to invest a lot of effort to control, balance and guts to let go of the rope and jump where I can get lost on the streaks of water.

Then there was the jumping on the water from 11m cliff and the so called “washing machine” where I’ve abseiled on the waterfall with water grinding me down.

The activity ended with a 2k uphill climb back to the highway where the car was waiting for us.

And if you ask me what was the most fun part of the adventure, it was the unavoidable intake of water when you

abseiled or jumped plus the dimples forming on my legs and butt from the exercise.

Tien Giang- Mekong Delta's Projected International Jewel

Have you ever been to Mekong Delta in Vietnam? Mekong Delta comprises of several provinces and cities but I’ll narrow down my story to Tien Giang or My Tho City.

My Tho is the most sellable destination among independent travelers joining an organized one day Mekong Delta tour, the fact that it is quite near Saigon. With the newly opened express highway the travel from Saigon to My Tho City is now just an hour and a half or a maximum of two hours.

This city was projected to be the venue of Ms. World but by the twist of fate the Ms World project in that area has folded. I’m one of those expats supposedly in the frontline of promoting the project to the international market which could have a good impact to Vietnam’s tourism industry but a lightning from the media society struck its main player that sent all expats packing and I’m the last one on the line.

Now as I am packing my bags getting ready to move to my next destination in the tourism and hospitality industry, I’ll share the place to all of you who have never been there. In fairness, Tien Giang deserves this note as it is quite a rich area with or without the Ms. World project.

The province Tien Giang itself is the fruit basket of Vietnam that mainly supply the countrywide demands for mango, durian, rambutan, mangosteen , longan and other tropical fruits. And that alone is an attraction for travelers who want to explore the countryside where they can see fruit plantations.

How to get there? If you are not going to book a tour to travel agents or get a private car in Saigon then you have choices of public buses from Mailinh, Phuong Trang , Phu Vinh Long or those that park Miendong bus station.

But if you want a comfortable travel through public transport then I suggest you get on Phu Vinh Long in District 10 or call Mailinh, they’ll pick you up at your hotel but of course the fare is a bit expensive than those at Miendong bus station.

In the course of promoting Tien Giang as Ms. World venue in China, I remember someone from a corporate world in Russia asked me what to do in My Tho should she bring 100 guests. Of course at that time I was braced with information on the project I can talk a lot, convincing her that the guests have to stay at least one week to explore the place.

Indeed, with the Ms World concept you need to explore My Tho for at least one week but in the absence of that, I can only recommend a maximum of two days stay in the area.

For two days, you can explore the rich river of Tien Giang- traversing it will give you a view of the different islands- see the stilt houses, the fishing village, learn the culture of Vietnamese in the countryside, its lifestyle and means of living. You can go around see the real beauty of the countryside, its fruit plantations and the rice fields – an abundant green background that sooths your eyes.

One of the attractions in the area is the visit to the family run factories of coconut candies, rice paper, bee products, and those small shops that sell coconut product souvenirs.

There is also that supposed to be venue of the Ms. World which has been developed partially, the Thoi Son RAAS where you can go around and explore the fruit garden. In Thoi Son you can take the famous sampan rowing of Mekong Delta with that conical hat while traversing along the small canals leading to the river.

If you want fishing either in the canal or in a developed pond where you can cook the fish you caught, Tien Giang is just a perfect place for that. What is more exciting in staying at Tien Giang for two a night is the fact that you can go in its nearby province where you can watch fireflies glittering at night as well as learn the culture that the coconut religion has adopted before its monk died in 1990.

What I love most in staying there night time was the experience I had with the fireflies watch, which is a combination of fear (traversing in a foreign canals at night with just fireflies as light) and the fairyland feeling while locals paddled the sampan along the tiny canals with nothing but fireflies to light the waterways.

A farewell holiday in Vung Tau

I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I thought it might help to divert my attention in putting into words the latest trip I took outside of Ho Chi Minh City with my friend, Rachel Clarke. Our destination was Vung Tau – a popular beach destination.

I’ve been into this place several times, so thinking about it doesn’t give me a thrill. Living in Saigon though doesn’t give me a choice, we want beach and the closest is Vung Tau.

There are two options on how to get to Vung Tau and it's either by land or hydrofoil.

If you want the fastest way of going there then get on hydrofoil at 160,000vnd or $8.50usd and after over an hour of traversing on the water you’ll land in Baria port.

I’m not keen of travelling on the water, so we took the Hoa Mai mini van at 44 Nguyen Thai Binh in District 1. And with our 55,000vnd ($3) fare, we arrived Baria public market after more than two hours on the road.

We had lunch at Baria public market then get on the bus to Hotram Beach Resort. There are several beach resorts in Vung Tau but after a day of travelling like a local, we opted to stay at a luxury resort in Ho Tram Village- the Hotram Beach Resort &Spa.

The resort has two swimming pools, tennis court, fitness gym, grandiose bathroom, internet cable, wifi, restaurant, bar and a beach where we can just lay down to relax.

Let me just say it this way, the amenities and resort’s architectural design were worth the money we spent for.

As for food, it may not be the best but it’s nicely prepared and healthy considering that they were using organic produce. The prices too were not so expensive, so Rachel and I were having great time with the abundance of our meals.

Rachel was scheduled to head off Malaysia the day after, so we can only afford to stay one night. We, however, maximized our time lying on the poolside until the required checkout time. After that, we get on the bus again back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Rachel is a good friend I enjoyed partying with in Hanoi and our trip to Vung Tau was our last moment together as she already ended her contract in Vietnam.

To Rachel, cheers girl! Good luck to your new life back home in England.